New Collaboration to Promote Healthy Marriage, Responsible Fatherhood

The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) announced today a collaboration with the National Head Start Association (NHSA) to promote healthy marriage and responsible fatherhood.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed June 17 formalized the relationship between NHSA and ACF.  The MOU will focus on improving the lives of children by providing increased access to marriage education and by promoting responsible fatherhood program services.

“Under the collaboration, important marriage education services will be provided for Head Start parents to achieve more and better opportunities for their children,” said Daniel C. Schneider, HHS acting assistant secretary for children and families. “Additionally, crucial fatherhood programs – ones that are designed to provide services to help dads strengthen bonds with their children – will be implemented.”

The Healthy Marriage Initiative helps couples who have chosen marriage gain greater access to marriage education services.  On a voluntary basis, they can acquire the knowledge, skills and guidance necessary to form and sustain a healthy marriage. 

The Responsible Fatherhood Initiative promotes responsible fatherhood by funding programs that support healthy marriage activities, promote responsible parenting and foster economic stability.  Children with fathers present in their lives are significantly more likely to do well in school and avoid high-risk behaviors such as drug use and criminal activity compared to children who have uninvolved fathers.

“Because of the Healthy Marriage and Responsible Fatherhood Initiatives, enrolled children and families will have a more hopeful future,” said Diann Dawson, director of ACF’s Office of Regional Operations.  “Programs and partnerships such as these ensure that all children have access to vital life components needed from their parents.”

For more information about the Healthy Marriage Initiative, visit http://www.acf.hhs.gov/healthymarriage/index.html.

For more information about the Responsible Fatherhood Initiative, visit http://www.fatherhood.gov/grantees/healthy_marriage.cfm

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Note: All ACF news releases, fact sheets and other materials are available at www.acf.hhs.gov/opa/index.html.

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